Personalized Wall Canvases

This is a fun project that we did to replace our wedding photo that was above our mantel. It's been a little over two years since we got married and we wanted to update some of the pictures around the house.

Personalized wall canvases are very common and can come in various different forms:

The hubby came up with an idea to take a series of photographs printed on canvas to hang above the mantel.  He was envisioning that I would take 5 photographs making various faces and then he would do the same. Then as our family grows, the collage of pictures would continue with each family member.

This is the originally sketched concept.

As we were brainstorming, we refined the idea. Ten canvases would be a lot of money, so we went down to five. Instead of doing individual pictures, we decided to take photos together showcasing the important parts of our marriage. Pray. Love. Laugh. Live. Play.

 Here's the revised sketch we did to convey the types of pictures that we needed to take.

We waited for a sunny day, took to our Canon Rebel T2i and a tripod, and started shooting some pictures. It was actually kind of exhausting because we had to frame the shot, set the timer, run back to our spots, and pose all within 10 seconds. (We took at least 100 pictures.)

We created our own templates and used Zazzle to create our own personalized wrapped canvases.

Check them out below!

Finished photoshopped images in one long strip

The completed set adds a nice touch to the wall. (And there is space for others canvases to go up as our family grows)

Wanna create your own? Do it on Zazzle!

Black Bar One-Word (live) Template Canvas Print by Personalization_Shop

Much love,

{Rashida}

The Master Bathroom Project | Finishing Touches (Part 7)

I'm back! I know it's been a while... I had final projects, presentations, and tests for school so I was in focus mode. And now that's over and done with, I can finish up blogging about my Master Bathroom Remodel project!

This is the second-to-last installment in my Master Bathroom Remodel project. To remind you all of what has happened so far, check out my previous posts:

• Part 1 - The Design
• Part 2 - Removing the Mirror
• Part 3 - Refinishing the Cabinets
• Part 4 - Wiring for the New Lights
• Part 5 - Dual-tone Painting
• Part 6 - Adding the Framed Mirrors

This post is just about the finishing touches. We built a small shelf, purchased a wall scone for additional task lighting, and purchased two decorative candle sconces for the back wall. This completes our original design and adds a little bit of interest to the bathroom itself.

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PART 1- Building the Shelf

SUPPLIES:

• One 6" x 4" wood plank
• Paint (same paint/stain from the Cabinet Refinish Project)
• Two L-Brackets (you want to buy one that is as long as your shelf protrudes from the wall for support)
• Wall Screws
• Edgemate White Melamine Roll
• Drill

DIY STEPS

Time frame:3 hours

1. Iron on the Melamine around the edge of the shelf.

This provides a smooth edge and eliminates the need to sand the edges. Simply line the edges and use and iron to adhere it to the surface.

Iron on White Melamine Strip

2. Paint.

Paint all surfaces of the shelf. The paint should adhere fairly well to the Melamine and to the wood itself.

Painted Block of Wood

3. Measure and mark where you want your shelf to sit.

4. Drill holes for the screws.

Based on your measurements, mark where the L-brackets will sit against the wall and on the shelf. Pre-drill the holes into the shelf and the wall for the L-brackets.

Note: If you are screwing into a stud, there is no need to pre-drill. When using a wall anchor in place of a stud, pre-drill.

5. Attach L-bracket to shelf according to measurements in step 3.

Make sure to use short screws (1/2") so your screws do not appear on the top surface

Note: We didn't buy appropriately long brackets. We bought these little guys... which obviously did not support the weight of anything on the shelf, let alone the shelf itself. So we had to build our own "L-bracket" out of left over pieces of wood. Save yourself some time and buy one that actually fits your shelf!

Our makeshift shelf support with the small L braces used to attach it to the wall.

6. Attach the bracket/shelf unit to wall.

For this step, use the longer screws that will actually fully penetrate the drywall.

Drilling in an extra screw for support at the end of the shelf.

PART 2- Attaching the Sconce Light

This was part of the reason for the pre-wiring in Part 4 of this blog series. Again, thank you Oak Electric!

SUPPLIES:

• A wall sconce of your choice
• Drill

DIY STEPS

Time frame: 10 minutes

Follow the instructions in the box. Each lighting assembly will be different. Be sure to purchase the correct bulb before leaving the store!

The sconce is up and running!

PART 3-  Decorative candle sconces

SUPPLIES:

• Decorative candle sconces of your choice
• Drill

DIY STEPS

Time frame: 10 minutes

1. On the wall, mark where you want your sconces to sit.

It may be helpful to have someone hold the sconce to the wall, while you step back to take a look. Mark the spot where the screw would go into the wall.

2. Drill the hole (if necessary) and attach the sconces.

PART 4-  Touch Up
Touch up the paint on any places that seem to need it.

After the sconce light was installed, we realized the mirror frame needed some touch ups.

We never painted our makeshift bracket. So that needed some paint too.

TOTAL COST: $48

• Wood ~$3
• 2-1/2 Wood Screws (Box of 20) ~$2
• 1/2" wood screws ~$2
• Wall Light Sconce ~$20
• Decorative Candle Sconce ~$15
• Edgemate White Melamine Edging ~$6

OVERALL IMPRESSION

Our bathroom looks more complete with those extra touches. New towels and other little trinkets, such as posters/photos, candles, vases, are great ways to jazz up the bathroom. 

We are finally finished!

The official "clean up" photo.

The last post will have before and after shots to see the scope of the full remodel from beginning to end.

Stay tuned!

{Rashida}

Design Board | Parents' Family Room (Formal)

Happy New Year fellow Interior Designers!

Here is another example of a design board that I created for class. It was for the same project as my last design board post. I could not decide which one to present, so I did both.

CLIENT: My parents

SPACE: Current family room

MY DESIGN CHALLENGE: My parents pretty much are empty-nesters. The furniture has been in the living room for at least 15 years and is quite dated, faded, and heavy. The carpet is also a dark green color, which easily attracts lint and makes the the room feel very bottom heavy.

MY CONCEPT: Since my parents are basically empty-nesters and my mother has her own home spa business (BeautiControl by Diane), I wanted to give her a space that used her spa colors but was also elegant. The space would require more labor as it replaces the current fireplace wall, hearth and surround.

After showing my mother both boards, it turns out that she like the Informal Board the best. She thought it was light, fun and more friendly for a family room. She also asked when was I going to get started on implementing it :-/ 

I guess I have to start putting some of my skills to use!

Until next time,

{Rashida}